And Then It Snowed

Today we had the first snowfall of the season. It started around lunchtime and shows no sign of easing up any time soon. It reminds me of a book Mom checked out from the library when I was little, The Snow Kept on Falling. The link is for a read-aloud version of the book...though the guy mistakes the silo for a "chimney attached to the house" and the rabbit hutch as a storage something or other, or a dog house...or a "dumpster except that it's made out of wood". Must have been a townie. ;)

I can't thank our neighbor enough for the beautiful view their empty lot gives me from our dining room.

Boys have been staring out the window at the falling snow, making plans for what they're going to do tomorrow when Mom finally lets them outside. Their excitement is contagious. It's so pretty. I kind of hope it's still snowing in the morning so I can watch the gently falling flakes as I enjoy my cup of coffee. Eli has to make it to work somehow tomorrow, though....

I had to run up town to pay the utility bill today, with four boys in tow. As I made my way down into the basement to bring up their boots the back of my skirt caught on something. I turned to free myself and got a face and back splashed full of freezing cold water and chilling me to the bone. I had snagged the spout of the watering can of rain water I had brought in for my houseplants, and somehow my skirt acted like a slingshot to propel the water all over me. I stared at the waterfall pouring down the basement steps, over my own boots, with droplets trickling down my face, and laughed like a lunatic. I had visions of letting the bill go unpaid, turning the thermostat up to 75°, and curling up with a blanket and a book in front of a heat vent (which I have never done because it's a gross violation of our strict 68° policy...and a waste of precious natural gas...of course...). Twenty minutes later boys were geared up and off we went. A ten minute errand in summer takes forty minutes in winter!

The festive weather has inspired a change of scenery around here. I brought some of the colorful Advent and Christmas decorations up and got a head start on them since we're not hosting Thanksgiving this year. (Eli has such odd hours now that he never has time off when the rest of the family is free.) Peppermint candy and balsam fir candles add to the joyful spirit around here. I wish I could bake goodies without being tempted to eat them all! We plan on taking all next week off from school, having finished up the last lingering subjects this morning. Hopefully it'll give me a bit of free time to finish up some craft projects.

Out with the old...

...in with the new! (Thank you for your contribution to my decorating addiction, Robin!)

And the snow keeps on falling! As long as the roads are cleared Sunday, I'll be happy. I need the peace that Mass gives me as often as I can get it, and then I have a fun afternoon planned with Mom. It'll definitely be my "splurge" day this week!